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London?s Famous Buildings
If you?ve never been to London, or have even been there several times, there are points of interest throughout the city that are worth checking out. London is not only rich in history, but offers wonderfully famous buildings. Visiting them during your trip is definitely a must. Perhaps one of the most famous buildings in London is Buckingham Palace. The home of Queen Elizabeth II, it has housed Britain?s sovereigns since 1837. Since then it has evolved from a mere town house that was once owned by the Dukes of Buckingham in the 18th century. Other famous buildings that house London?s royalty are St. James Place, Clarence House, and also Kensington Palace. Kensington Palace was started in 1689 when William and Mary purchased the mansion shortly after their ascension. It was then converted to a royal palace by Sir Christopher Wren. Today half of the building is used for royal apartments while the other half is open to the public. Sir Christopher Wren also designed and built St. Paul?s Cathedral following the Great Fire of 1666. It was left in ruins after the fire and Wren was commissioned to rebuild it by London?s authorities. This building is considered to be Wren?s greatest creation. The Tower of London had originally been built for use as a fortress to keep out hostile Londoners and to survey enemies who approached on the Thames river. Since then is has been used as a palace, library, mint, treasury, bank, arsenal, observatory, and, most famously, a prison. Westminster Abbey isn?t just one of the more beautiful of London?s famous buildings, but it is also the final resting place for some of Britain?s most famous monarchs, the setting for coronations, and also other wonderful pageants. Within its walls visitors can see great examples of London?s medical architecture, as well as an impressive collection of toms and monuments. Westminster Abby is perhaps most well-known for being the site of Princess Diana?s funeral. Completed in 1871, Royal Albert Hall is a beautiful structure that was modelled after Roman amphitheatres. Today the hall is used for both classical concerts and other large gatherings. In 1514, the Archbishop of York, Cardinal Wolsey, started Hampton Court Palace with the intentions of it being a riverside country residence. But in 1535, with the hopes of gaining royal favour, Wolsey offered it to King Henry VIII. As with other famous buildings in London, Sir Christopher Wren once again had a hand in it when he was hired by William and Mary in the 1690?s to create its beautiful baroque landscapes. The No. 10 Downing Street houses Britain?s Prime Minister, who currently is Tony Blair. It began its service to Britain?s Prime Ministers when George II gave it to Sir Robert Walpole in 1732. Lastly is Harrod?s Department Store, and one of London?s most famous buildings. It began in 1849 when Henry Charles Harrod opened a small grocery store. Throughout the years the store?s quality and service has allowed it to expand and become what we know it as today. Of course there are many other famous buildings, as well as some other lesser known, that are worth seeing on a trip to London. Make sure to do your research prior to leaving on your trip to make sure you are able to see the buildings that best match your interests. More about London at: <a href="http://www.londonweblisting.com">London City Resources and useful Information about everything</a>
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The Exuma Islands Of The Bahamas
The Exuma Islands, a collection of 365 tiny islands collected under one name, which are part of the many islands that make up the legendary vacation destination known as the Bahamas, offers a prime example of what an out of the ordinary Bahamas vacation can be. It shows off the very best of the Bahamas, that parts that are often outshined by the glitter and gleam of its luxurious casinos and tourist centers. The Exuma Islands have history, culture, a deep regard for nature and a splash of adventure. Great Exuma Island is the largest of the Exuma Islands and the location Exuma’s capital city, George Town. Great Exuma Island is home to some of the island group’s most interesting historical sights. Patience House and the Shark Lady of the Exumas is an unusual museum and shop located in the home of Gloria Patience. Past 80 years old, she once met the Queen of England, barefoot with shell bead around her ankles. It’s easy to imagine that she held her head just as high then, barefoot before the Queen, as she does now. Rumored to have caught more than 1,500 sharks, she is a formidable character, and presides over the amazing items she has collected through the years with a regal bearing quite her own. Her guided tours through her museum home provide a wealth of historical information and she is a fascinating and warm person. Another historic site on Great Exuma Island is the Bowe Family Plantation. Today, this former cotton plantation lies in ruins, though in its remains, one can achieve a clear picture of the structural arrangement of the house, including the kitchen and the slave quarters. Also on Great Exuma Island are two cemeteries of historical importance. One is the Rolle Town Tombs. An overseer and his wife, from the time of slavery, are buried here. There are a couple of interesting bits of island history associated with the surname Rolle. The name arrived on the island in 1783, carried by the slaves that plantation owner Denys Rolle sent from Florida for the cotton plantation he owned, but chose not to reside at. Because slaves were known by the surname of their master and after the Emancipation, many people kept the surnames they’d grown accustomed to, the Rolle name now belongs to more than half of the native population. The other cemetery, called the Hermitage, dates back to the 1800’s. Located 8 miles away from the capital city of George Town, using a guide will help to get the full effect of this marvelous site. The vast Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park expands over 176 miles. This nature reserve is a fun and fascinating place, with fine beaches and a wide variety of wildlife. It has also played an important role in local nature conservation efforts. The islands are wonderful for exploring underwater, with many caves and reefs for snorkeling and diving and there are many day tour packages available for these activities. Chartered boats for fishing excursions are also available, and at reasonable rates. The Exuma Islands are an excellent vacation destination. This area truly demonstrates the very best of Bahaman qualities.This article provided courtesy of http://www.cheap-airfare-guide.net
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Fall Foliage Scenic Drives In New England - Six Of The Best
Fall foliage in New England provides a showcase for Mother Nature. Perhaps nowhere else in America, and maybe even the world, are the fall colors as stunning and spectacular as October in New England. Fall foliage in New England really begins in August. The shortening daylight hours trigger the deciduous trees to begin the process of shedding their leaves. It happens all around North America, and all around the world. But in New England it results in a display of special landscapes painted with fiery autumn colors. Why is fall foliage in New England so different and special? It?s a factor of many things but mostly an abundance of different types of deciduous trees, warm autumn days, and cool - but not freezing - nights. When these and a few other conditions are all mixed in the right proportions, then you get the world famous stunning shades of reds, yellows, oranges, and browns on the hills and mountain sides of New England. Between mid-September to late-October, visitors flock to New England to see the fall foliage. Many take special bus tours or even train rides. But most take to the road and these six scenic drives offer some of the best autumn views available from anywhere on the planet. FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - MOHAWK TRAIL MASSACHUSETTS In Massachusetts the most popular fall foliage scenic drives are along the famous Mohawk Trail, and the area known as The Berkshires. The Mohawk trail rolls out through the northwestern part of the state on route 2, and winds through the hills and mountains of the Berkshires, touching picturesque towns like Williamstown, Deerfield, Shelbourne, Colrain, Charlemont, and Shelburne Falls. The road follows an ancient foot path used to move between Massachusetts and New York by Native Americans. Mount Greylock, the highest point in The Berkshires and Massachusetts, offers stunning views of the surrounding area and Mohawk Trail. FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - KANCAMAGUS HIGHWAY NEW HAMPSHIRE The White Mountain National Forest is home to many wonderful scenic drives but the most popular - and rightly so - has to be the 34-mile Kancamagus Scenic Highway that runs along route 112 from Conway to White Mountains Visitor Center in Lincoln. This drive is considered by many to be the top fall foliage New England scenic drive. You?ll see beautiful forests ablaze with autumn colors and plenty of photo opportunities with walks along gorges and streams, and with breathtaking views of the highest mountains in the Presidential Range. FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - CENTRAL VERMONT AREA Vermont is a popular destination state in the fall. With many fall foliage scenic drives to choose from, the Central Vermont area, around Killington, and the towns and highways of Woodstock, Rutland and Ludlow, offer up some of the most dazzling. This area is deep in The Green Mountain National Forest area, and not surprisingly offers dramatic fall foliage color and scenery. FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - LAKES AND LEAVES MAINE Maine is a vast wilderness and given its proximity is the first New England state to display peak fall foliage color. Maine has many unparalleled scenic drives to choose from, and it?s difficult to single out one. But the Lakes and Leaves drive that skirts the shores of Moosehead Lake on Route 15 and then heads south on route 201 provides an amazing view of this empty, but beautiful backcountry. You?ll see incomparable fall foliage views of the tree-lined banks of the Kennebec River, and the surrounding mountains on this Maine Scenic Highway. FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - RHODE ISLAND COAST Rhode Island provides open roads and coastal drives for fall vacationers and leaf peeping. The 61-mile Rhode Island Coast Scenic Drive follows the coastline east from Westerly towards Point Judith passing nature reserves and secluded beaches, until turning north along Narragansett Bay, and eventually over Newport Bridge on route 138. The drive finishes over the breathtaking Ocean Drive in historic Newport. Always close to a picnic stop along this short drive it begs to be taken slowly and to stop occasionally and breathe in the crisp fall salt air. FALL FOLIAGE SCENIC DRIVE - CONNECTICUT ROUTE 169 Far from being the forgotten step child of the other fall foliage scenic drives in New England, Connecticut is full of its own collection of scenic drives. One noteworthy trip to take in autumn is Route 169 in the eastern “Quiet Corner” region. Here the backdrop is rolling farmland, stone walls, and picturesque towns and villages that line the route. New England is littered with fall foliage scenic drives, and look at those mentioned here as springboards to visiting other country roads that lead to surprises and discovery at every turn. The backroads of New England are where the gems are located, so don’t be afraid to explore. For more details on these and other <a href="http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/scenic-drives-in-new-england.html">New England scenic drives</a> and to pick up your free travel reports go to Cliff Calderwood's <a href="http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/">Vactions in New England travel site</a> at: http://www.new-england-vacations-guide.com/
Source: www.ArticlePros.com

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